On Selling Out, and Treason

I saw this photo while on Facebook. For those who cannot read Armenian and/or see the picture well, the top half is a number of images from Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia, with writing that says something like: "Armenians vacationing in Antalya are arming/strengthening the Turkish Army." The poster is by the ARF.
The bottom half of this photo is a banner/poster of the ARF with their logo in the top left. The bottom half of it is covered up - it seems to have been an "X" and a check mark in boxes, emulating ballots probably for this past election. It is covered up by another poster that says "For Sale - Rush."

This photo caught my eye. In fact, I just keep going back to look at it over and over again. Let's take a look at it with a slightly analytical eye. I'll try to keep it brief.

The collection of photos in the top half is mostly, from what I can see: the Turkish Army and flags, Ararat and historical monuments on historically Armenian soil, for which the ARF makes demands (the latter two). They make demands for the soil, though they couldn't even properly support those who fought in the NK war of the 1990's, or those who tried to settle the lands after the war. Not to mention that as a political Diasporan Party, the ARF was less than excited when Armenia declared independence in 1991.

I think one of the lower pictures in that top half is Hrant Dink (not completely sure), who is only one of many people whom the ARF has lambasted over the years for suggesting open discussion and some degree of relations with Turkey, or at least, not hating Turks just for being born Turks. Given that party history, they basically had no choice but to carefully leave the ruling coalition after it made some flea-sized steps in the general direction of Turkey- Sure, it left the coalition, but no one really thinks they are opposition (see below).

Let's not forget that while Armenia was in a war, and going through what so many call the "Dark and Cold" years, the vast majority of the ARF was more than happy to be critical rather than constructive, and destructive rather than supportive - case in point evidence given by Serge Sargsyan himself of the involvement of ARF and Dro in violent and illegal international activities.

There's more, but let's move on to the bottom half. It's pretty self explanatory - ARF for sale, especially when it comes to elections. They'll make a poster trying to discourage Armenians from vacationing in Eastern Turkey, implying it is pro-Turk, anti-Armenian, and almost treasonous. But, they obviously had no problem joining the coalition government that shot and killed 10 of its own civilians, and continues to this day to keep political prisoners - some of whom are known veterans of the NK war- as well as maintaining a policy of oppression of basic human rights.

So, speaking of treason, the ARF, and NK, let's see what one person who has actually been consistent in all of this over the past 20 years, Jirair Sefilyan, has to say about this (loosely transcribed and translated from an RFE/RL recording):

"This is not a personal issue, we are thinking about our future, about our children's future, about our country's future... That's why changing the government of this country is a necessity, like air and water..."
The narrating reporter stated that Sefilyan critized the ARF, calling their demand for Nalbandyan's resignation comical, and considers the ARF to be working under the orders of Serge Sargsyan.

The narrating reporter also states that Sefilyan believes that it is too late in the game for Sahakyan to suddenly announce that Armenia cannot negotiate on behalf of Nagorno-Kharabagh. "At this point, if Bako Sahakyan can do anything, there is only one thing he can do: In the coming days, he has to announce that the politics being conducted by Yerevan are anti-Armenian politics, and Serge Sargsyan is involved in treasonous acts, and he needs to call on the Armenian people to quickly rid themselves of this regime. If he doesn't do this, then he, too, is an accessory in these treasonous acts."

Why focus on the immediate health, safety, and stability of Armenia and its people, when you can just continue imposing your own Diasporan priorities based on your own Diasporan identity?



[Photo courtesy of Arsen Torosyan]